Help with buy decision

[Jedinizar]

Hi, I'm new in this forum.

I was just about to order an Adventurebilt Deluxe Fedura... but I just found on an other Forum that the Peters Bros are better, because they will take the abuse of sweating and doing a lot of out door stuff.

What is your opinion?? The Peters Bros are cheaper 185$ Adventurebilt Deluxe are 359.00 EUR so around 490.037 USD...

[crazylegsmurphy]

I will always stand by and recommend the AB's over anything. Not only for quality, but for customer service.

I have had my 3 AB's for about 2 years now and they are still amazing!

[Castor Dioscuri]

I can't speak from experience on either, but from what I've heard, the Peter Brothers' hats that are virtually indestructable give off the same impression when handled; that is to say that they are stiff as heck, and practically 'bullet-proof'.

I get the impression that the AB-Deluxe can be soft or stiff, depending on how much stiffener you request.

Not to forget that AB-Deluxe is reputed to source the best (lifespan and quality wise) materials to make their fedoras "anywhere in the world", which for the average consumer means that the leather band is much more resilient against shrinking, and that just overall, the quality is incomparable to the current offerings at the same (or lower) price range.

But take what I've said with a grain of salt, especially since I've gotten my information on this subject from these boards, which have seems to have a bias in favor of AB-Deluxe.

[Dr.Seuss]

I was just about to order an Adventurebilt Deluxe Fedura... but I just found on an other Forum that the Peters Bros are better, because they will take the abuse of sweating and doing a lot of out door stuff. What is your opinion??

Jedinizar:

Before that question can be answered, you need to think about, "better, for what?" The two are hats; they can be shaped to appear the same. After that, some would opine the similarity ends, especially when considering factors like materials, construction and longevity.

My suggestion: peruse the Archives. There are many threads with information on each. After you have an understanding of what you personally want your lid to do, and armed with the insight from members who own each, then made a decision.

Sincerely,

[Jedinizar]

what I mean by Better ist that it last longer, with better quality, a longer lifespan..
but thx for the adive I will search the forum for more threads

@Castor Dioscuri: you make the things harder

[G-MANN]

[Cowboy]

I wore a cowboy hat hat everyday for 2 years while framing homes. This hat was a Bailey 4XXXX and let me tell you, it held up wonderfuly... I had it cleaned twice a year, but other than that I did nothing. It held up in the month long rainy seasons, hot summers and never lost it's shape.It only cost me $125.00 to boot.
I think that most of these hats listed will do you good. The problem is when a fella starts distressing a hat, that is when problems start. Just like a new pair of levi jeans are meant to last for X amount of time, artifically start distressing them and they will not last. So my question is will you be wearing it to School the office or church OR are you going to wear it in the field every day for years and years on end. If you are doing the latter then I have heard that the 100% pure Beaver ABD is the way to go. If not, others Like G-MANN have had every Indy hat under the sun and can tell you who is the best less expensive hat.. Don't forget the WOLF'S HATTERY RAIDERS FEDORA They are a great rabbitt hat for a great price with a close block....Good luck

[Cowboy]

G I was just talking about you when here you are! Regards friend

[Indycop]

Don't forget about camptown!
I have a PB but have not had it long enough to advise you. It is my first real fedora so to me it does not seem stiff. It fits great and I forget its on. But I am also planning to get an AB. I think you will find that no matter what you get you will not stop with just one. When start looking around on here and see everyones different hats and what they do to them you just end up wanting to try those too. ( So thanks everybody for making me broke!) Also try the sticky "which hat". Oh and hello!

[indy89]

I would go with the AB deluxe, Jedinizar.

[fatwoul]

Hi, I'm new in this forum.

I was just about to order an Adventurebilt Deluxe Fedura... but I just found on an other Forum that the Peters Bros are better, because they will take the abuse of sweating and doing a lot of out door stuff.

What is your opinion?? The Peters Bros are cheaper 185$ Adventurebilt Deluxe are 359.00 EUR so around 490.037 USD...

I know this will sound like a newbie talking, but I am a newbie, and so is Jedinizar. As a newbie, I also have the luxury of not knowing any better, so if what I am about to say is utterly stupid, the old-timers can pat me on the head and tell you not to pay any attention. I've only been here for a month, and I only have one hat - my Akubra Fed Dlx. I have both a Delk AB on order, and am in the process of getting my hands on one of Camptown's creations. So, right now I know nothing about the quality of other hats other than what I have read here.

However, consider this:

A plain old rabbit Fed Deluxe will cost you one third the price of an AB deluxe. That means that if you wanted, you could get one, see how you like it, see if it suits you, and see what the hat can do. If you destroy the hat in a year or two, you can afford to buy two more before you will have spent the same amount as you would on an AB Dlx. Akubras aren't exactly dress hats - they too are designed to go through the paces of an outdoor life. That's why I got a Fed Dlx first; to see if it looked and felt good on me, and make sure that I really will wear a hat all the time, before investing more heavily in other fedoras.

I'm sure the AB Dlx is a superb hat, and I'm sure it will last you a lifetime, like everyone says. But at $500, its a considerable investment for most people, especially if it ends up in wardrobe for 11 months of the year. I'm sure an AB isn't designed to sit in a wardrobe at all. Its soul would die.

What I mean is, if you only plan to wear the hat occasionally, then an Akubra would also last you a lifetime (or at least a significant proportion of it), and would have cost you a lot, lot less.

If it just has to be beaver felt, then ignore everything I just said.

[Castor Dioscuri]

So basically I guess what most of the peeps here are trying to say is: viewtopic.php?t=17678

[Strider]

Ok, I've owned a Peters Bros. fedora, and a regular AB. My Peters Bros. hat shrunk on me, and the block shape wasn't really my cup of tea, either. The AB has done nothing but perform for me since I've had one (and I've owned three). The latest of the three that I currently own has gone over a year without a reblock, and looks great. G-MANN does nothing but rave about the AB Deluxe, as does everyone else who has ever had one (Redbeard, ob1al, erri-wan, etc.).

If you're looking for a good budget fedora, the Akubra Federation Deluxe is your best bet. If you don't mind saving the dough, go with the AB or AB Deluxe.

[Mulceber]

I've not owned the AB deluxe, but I own an AB beaver, and a PB custom. You should DEFINITELY go for the AB deluxe. The felt is MUCH better than the PB and while the PB is tough, it achieves that by being as stiff as a board, which is not what you want in an Indy hat (at least if you want it to be screen-accurate.

The AB, meanwhile, has very soft (but tough) felt, and has a wonderful shape.

For more details, see my post comparing the two: viewtopic.php?t=12408&highlight=adventurebilt+pb

but I just found on an other Forum that the Peters Bros are better, because they will take the abuse of sweating and doing a lot of out door stuff.

Clearly, whoever wrote that had not owned both hats. The AB deluxe will go toe-to-toe with the PB and win EVERY time.

:junior: -IJ

[Jedinizar]

Thanx every1, since I'm from Germany I will order the AB delux from Marc to save shipement and make the things much easier

[fatwoul]

Thanx every1, since I'm from Germany I will order the AB delux from Marc to save shipement and make the things much easier

When looking at the AB Deluxe site before, I've noticed that Marc's hats cost €20 more for people in Europe than in the US. Even German orders are still €10 more than US orders. Has Marc mentioned anything about this? Is it a VAT/Sales Tax thing? Or is it generally more expensive to ship the hats around Europe than directly to the US?

[Tycoonman]

while the PB is tough, it achieves that by being as stiff as a board..

Not true. I ordered mine with very little stiffener upon request. I have had it a year and abused the @#$% out of it. It's not the stiffener, it is the thickness of the western style felt.

Tycoonman

[Mulceber]

it is the thickness of the western style felt.

yes, the thick felt helps it be more tough...but makes it VERY difficult to get some of the aspects of the styling right, since it's been pretty well established that the original Raiders hat had thinner felt.

[Kt Templar]

Thanx every1, since I'm from Germany I will order the AB delux from Marc to save shipement and make the things much easier

When looking at the AB Deluxe site before, I've noticed that Marc's hats cost €20 more for people in Europe than in the US. Even German orders are still €10 more than US orders. Has Marc mentioned anything about this? Is it a VAT/Sales Tax thing? Or is it generally more expensive to ship the hats around Europe than directly to the US?

The difference is a tax thing, even taking into account the cheaper shiping to Germany and to Europe, it costs more here because we have to pay the VAT.

[GCR]

Well Jedinizar, it lookes like you've already made your decision, but allow me to give you a bit more input.

If you have a chance to own one of Marc's hats now, go for it. Marc's a true craftsman and his hats are top-notch. The felt is very soft, very pliable and yet also very tough. The roo-hide sweatbands handle moisture and wear with ease. The color (to my eye) is perfect and the ribbon is the exact same type used in Raiders. This hat will stand up to use and last you a lifetime.

There are PLENTY of other options is you don't want to spend as much, but in the case of the AB Deluxe, you really do get what you pay for.



-GCR

[Jedinizar]

Well Jedinizar, it lookes like you've already made your decision, but allow me to give you a bit more input.

If you have a chance to own one of Marc's hats now, go for it. Marc's a true craftsman and his hats are top-notch. The felt is very soft, very pliable and yet also very tough. The roo-hide sweatbands handle moisture and wear with ease. The color (to my eye) is perfect and the ribbon is the exact same type used in Raiders. This hat will stand up to use and last you a lifetime.

There are PLENTY of other options is you don't want to spend as much, but in the case of the AB Deluxe, you really do get what you pay for.



-GCR

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!

What should I do... ahhhh... well I think I'll forget the Fedora first, and get me a Wested Jacket (here at least I',m sure I want the Wested one and not the Todd version)

[Renderking Fisk]

Get all of them, keep our vendors busy!

[Indycop]

that's the current plan I'm on ! First a PB. Now I'm waiting for a grey Camptown, then plan to order the AB. Or possibly a NOIR camptown, or a black federation, or all of the above, or ......
I better stay off the jacket page

[Indycop]

I forgot about Wolf hattery! Where do I fit that one in? Hopefully cowboy won't post one of those in black :!:

[Cowboy]

that's the current plan I'm on ! First a PB. Now I'm waiting for a grey Camptown, then plan to order the AB. Or possibly a NOIR camptown, or a black federation, or all of the above, or ......
I better stay off the jacket page

You forgot the WOLF'S HATTERY RAIDERS FEDORA!!!!!

[Cowboy]

I forgot about Wolf hattery! Where do I fit that one in? Hopefully cowboy won't post one of those in black :!:

Posted at the same time

[RobbyT43]

Personally....I think you should go with the AB. I don't have one (heck, I don't even have a DP!!!!) but I hear all of the time about how reliable AB are. Of course...this is all your decision, so I wish you good luck! I know I had a hard time deciding so I just got the cheapest one possible to buy a MKVII bag!!!!

Good luck!

Robby

[Indycop]

My plan is to get an AB but I am not patient enough to go without a fedora until it would come. So I got a PB to hold me. Of course reading everybodys posts , you kinda get hooked.

[Indiana]

You have gotten a lot of great advice from all the fellows around here, but in the end, the decision is yours. It all comes down to what you want and what you can afford. What ever you decide, make sure you are happy with it!